First pitch: Altuve DH as slumping Astros try to wake up bats vs. A’s

Jose Altuve will be the Astros designated hitter in the second game of the series against the A's. ( Karen Warren / Houston Chronicle )

Jose Altuve will be the Astros’ designated hitter Saturday and shortstop Ronny Cedeno has been bumped up to the No. 2 spot as the strikeout-prone Astros attempt to improve on a .194 team batting average when they host the Oakland Athletics at 6:10 p.m. at Minute Maid Park.

The Astros (1-3) have lost three consecutive games. The club has 56 offensive strikeouts through its initial four games and became the first team in MLB history Friday to record at least 13 strikeouts in four consecutive contests at any point during a season.

Athletics catcher John Jaso (5) high-fives teammate Coco Crisp after Crisp hit a solo home run off Astros starting pitcher Lucas Harrell during the fourth inning.

Athletics catcher John Jaso (5) high-fives teammate Coco Crisp after Crisp hit a solo home run off Astros starting pitcher Lucas Harrell during the fourth inning.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Chronicle

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Athletics outfielder Chris Young hits a three-run home run off Astros starting pitcher Lucas Harrell during the fifth inning.

Athletics outfielder Chris Young hits a three-run home run off Astros starting pitcher Lucas Harrell during the fifth inning.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Chronicle

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Athletics outfielder Chris Young (25) rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run off of Astros starting pitcher Lucas Harrell, bottom, during the fifth inning.

Athletics outfielder Chris Young (25) rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run off of Astros starting pitcher Lucas Harrell, bottom, during the fifth inning.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Chronicle

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Athletics outfielder Chris Young (25) celebrates his three-run home run during the fifth inning off Astros starting pitcher Lucas Harrell.

Athletics outfielder Chris Young (25) celebrates his three-run home run during the fifth inning off Astros starting pitcher Lucas Harrell.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Chronicle

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Athletics right fielder Josh Reddick (16) stretches to try and catch a foul ball of the bat of Astros second baseman Jose Altuve during the fifth inning. Reddick was injured on the play and was forced to leave the game. less

Athletics right fielder Josh Reddick (16) stretches to try and catch a foul ball of the bat of Astros second baseman Jose Altuve during the fifth inning. Reddick was injured on the play and was forced to leave ... more

Photo: Brett Coomer / Chronicle

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Athletics shortstop Eric Sogard (28) slaps a tag on Astros center fielder Justin Maxwell (44) for an out during the fourth inning. Maxwell was trying to advance to second base after an overthrow at first.

Athletics shortstop Eric Sogard (28) slaps a tag on Astros center fielder Justin Maxwell (44) for an out during the fourth inning. Maxwell was trying to advance to second base after an overthrow at first.

Athletics catcher John Jaso scores on a single by Brandon Moss as Astros catcher Carlos Corporan picks up the throw to home during the ninth inning.

Athletics catcher John Jaso scores on a single by Brandon Moss as Astros catcher Carlos Corporan picks up the throw to home during the ninth inning.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Chronicle

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Astros mascot Orbit high-fives kids as they run the bases following the game.

Astros mascot Orbit high-fives kids as they run the bases following the game.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Chronicle

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<b><center>April 5: Athletics 8, Astros 3</b></center>Oakland right fielder Josh Reddick slides home with a run as Astros catcher Jason Castro can't make a tag as the A's score seven runs in the top of the fifth. less

<b><center>April 5: Athletics 8, Astros 3</b></center>Oakland right fielder Josh Reddick slides home with a run as Astros catcher Jason Castro can't make a tag as the A's score seven runs in the top of the ... more

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Athletics center fielder Coco Crisp tumbles upside-down as he tries to dive for a single by Astros' Chris Carter in the first inning.

Athletics center fielder Coco Crisp tumbles upside-down as he tries to dive for a single by Astros' Chris Carter in the first inning.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Astros pitcher Brad Peacock pitches to Athletics left fielder Yoenis Cespedes during the first inning. Peacock finishing with three hits allowed, two earned runs and five strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings.

Astros pitcher Brad Peacock pitches to Athletics left fielder Yoenis Cespedes during the first inning. Peacock finishing with three hits allowed, two earned runs and five strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Jerry Peacock shouts encouragement to his son, Astros starting pitcher Brad Peacock, after he set down the Athletics in order during the fourth inning,

Jerry Peacock shouts encouragement to his son, Astros starting pitcher Brad Peacock, after he set down the Athletics in order during the fourth inning,

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Oakland right fielder Josh Reddick can't make a diving catch on a ball off the bat of Matt Dominguez during the ninth.

Oakland right fielder Josh Reddick can't make a diving catch on a ball off the bat of Matt Dominguez during the ninth.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Astros pinch hitter J.D. Martinez walks back to the dugout after striking during the eighth inning.

Astros pinch hitter J.D. Martinez walks back to the dugout after striking during the eighth inning.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Jose Altuve chases a pitch in the dirt as he strikes out in the first. The Astros fanned 13 times against the AÕs.

Jose Altuve chases a pitch in the dirt as he strikes out in the first. The Astros fanned 13 times against the AÕs.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Astros second baseman Jose Altuve makes the relay over Athletics catcher John Jaso to turn a double play to end the top of the eighth inning.

Astros second baseman Jose Altuve makes the relay over Athletics catcher John Jaso to turn a double play to end the top of the eighth inning.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Astros relief pitcher Xavier Cedeno is consoled in the dugout after failing to retire a batter during the fifth. Cedeno gave up six runs in the inning.

Astros relief pitcher Xavier Cedeno is consoled in the dugout after failing to retire a batter during the fifth. Cedeno gave up six runs in the inning.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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A fan's scorebook shows the damage done by the A's during the fifth inning. More than 40 minutes ran by and seven runs were recorded in the inning.

A fan's scorebook shows the damage done by the A's during the fifth inning. More than 40 minutes ran by and seven runs were recorded in the inning.